U.S. patent application number 09/728739 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-14 for remote call-to-action messaging.
Invention is credited to Rose, David S..
Application Number | 20020032631 09/728739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22611225 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020032631 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rose, David S. |
March 14, 2002 |
Remote call-to-action messaging
Abstract
A processor-based system and method for processing and
communicating information between a host station and remote users
or participants. A first database at a host station includes a pool
of unique address identifiers that can be consecutively or randomly
selected and associated with a participant when a predetermined
event has occurred. The participant is contacted by the host
station and given notification that the predetermined event has
occurred, along with instructions to respond by using the selected
address identifier. Upon participant contact with the host station,
the selected address identifier is recognized as temporarily
belonging to only the participant and determines that the
participant has responded. Further verification of the
participant's identity may be provided by requesting a password or
other identifier. The participant may give appropriate instructions
relating to the predetermined event. Once the participant is
disconnected from the host station, the selected address identifier
is then disassociated from the participant for use in a subsequent
call to action.
Inventors: |
Rose, David S.; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RANDALL C BROWN
AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD
P O BOX 688
DALLAS
TX
75313
|
Family ID: |
22611225 |
Appl. No.: |
09/728739 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60168365 |
Dec 1, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/10 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; G06Q 40/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/37 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A processor-based method for responding to a predetermined event
associated with a host station and remote users, the method
comprising: providing a first database with a plurality of
telephone numbers that remote users can call to communicate with
the host station; associating one of the telephone numbers with a
particular user when the predetermined event has occurred;
selecting a first remote user that is affected by the predetermined
event; associating the selected telephone number with the selected
user; delivering an alert to the particular user that the
predetermined event has occurred, the alert including the
associated telephone number; identifying a return call from the
particular user by detecting the dialed telephone number;
receiving, at the host station, at least one user instruction for
responding to the predetermined event; and disassociating the
associated telephone number from the particular user so that
telephone number can be used in a subsequent alert delivery.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein associating one of the
telephone numbers with a particular user when the predetermined
event has occurred includes: selecting one of the telephone numbers
when the predetermined event has occurred; selecting a first remote
user that is affected by the predetermined event; and associating
the selected telephone number with the selected user.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein identifying the selected
user further comprises: entering an identifier by the selected
user; and comparing the identifier with a stored identifier for the
selected user.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the host station receives
at least one user instruction in the form of a voice command.
5. A method according to claim 4, and further comprising providing
an interface station for connection to the host station, the voice
command being recognized at the interface station and transmitted
to the host station as command data.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the interface station
presents a dialog to the selected user including information
relating to the predetermined event to thereby prompt the selected
user to enter the at least one user instruction.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the dialog includes
information relating to the selected user.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the information relating
to the selected user includes a user name.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein delivering the alert to
the selected user includes dialing a number to connect with at
least one of a pager, wireless phone, and wired telephone
associated with the selected user.
10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined event
is a bid for an auction item that is higher than a previous bid for
the auction item by the selected user.
11. A method according to claim 10, and further comprising
providing a second database with information relating to the
auction item and the selected user.
12. A method according to claim 1 1, wherein the information
relating to the auction item includes a first high bid for the
auction item.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein receiving the at least
one user instruction includes receiving a second high bid that is
greater than the first high bid, the second database being updated
in response to the at least one user instruction.
14. A method according to claim 13, and further comprising:
selecting a new telephone number from one of the telephone numbers
of the first database when the second high bid is received;
selecting a second remote user that is affected by the
predetermined event, the second remote user being different from
the first remote user; associating the new telephone number with
the second selected user; and delivering an alert to the second
selected user that the second high bid has been received, the alert
including the new telephone number.
15. A method according to claim 14, and further comprising:
connecting the second selected user to the host station through the
new telephone number; identifying the selected user by detecting
the dialed new telephone number; receiving, at the host station, at
least one second user instruction for responding to the second high
bid; and disassociating the new telephone number from the second
selected user so that the new telephone number can be used in a
subsequent alert delivery.
16. A processor-based method for processing and communicating
auction information between a host station and remote users, the
method comprising: providing a first database with a plurality of
telephone numbers that remote users can call to communicate with
the host station; providing a second database with auction
information including a first high bid from one remote user for an
auction item; selecting one of the telephone numbers upon receipt
of a second high bid that is greater than the first high bid;
associating the selected telephone number with the one user;
delivering an alert to the one user that the first high bid has
been exceeded, the alert including the selected telephone number;
dialing the selected telephone number by the one user to connect
the one user to the host station; identifying the one user by
detecting the dialed telephone number; receiving, at the host
station, at least one instruction from the one user for responding
to the second high bid; and disassociating the selected telephone
number from the one user so that the selected telephone number can
be used in a subsequent alert delivery.
17. A method according to claim 16, wherein identifying the one
user further comprises: entering an identifier by the one user; and
comparing the identifier with a stored identifier for the one
user.
18. A method according to claim 16, and further comprising:
selecting a new telephone number from one of the telephone numbers
of the first database upon receipt of a third high bid that is
greater than the second high bid; associating the new telephone
number with a further user; and delivering an alert to the further
user that the third high bid has been received, the alert including
the new telephone number.
19. A method according to claim 18, and further comprising: dialing
the new telephone number by the further user to connect the second
selected user to the host station; identifying the further user by
recognizing the new telephone number; receiving, at the host
station, at least one instruction from the further user for
responding to the third high bid; and disassociating the new
telephone number from the further user so that the new telephone
number can be used in a subsequent alert delivery.
20. A method according to claim 18, wherein delivering the alert to
the users includes dialing, from the host station, a respective
number associated with at least one of a pager, wireless phone, and
wired telephone of each users.
21. A method according to claim 16, wherein delivering the alert to
the one user includes dialing, from the host station, a number
associated with at least one of a pager, wireless phone, and wired
telephone of the one user.
22. A processor-based method for responding to a predetermined
event associated with a host station and remote users, the method
comprising: providing a first database with a plurality of unique
address identifiers that remote users can use to communicate with
the host station; associating one of the address identifiers with a
particular user when the predetermined event has occurred;
selecting a first remote user that is affected by the predetermined
event; associating the selected address identifier with the
selected user; delivering an alert to the particular user that the
predetermined event has occurred, the alert including the
associated address identifier; identifying a response from the
particular user by detecting the selected address identifier;
receiving, at the host station, at least one user instruction for
responding to the predetermined event; and disassociating the
selected address identifier from the particular user so that
address identifier can be used in a subsequent alert delivery.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/168,365 filed on Dec. 01, 1999.
FEILD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a system and
method for automatically sending a message to a user upon the
occurrence of a particular event, and more particularly to a system
and method for delivering a call-toaction message seeking a voice
response from a user authorizing an action.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] In the context of many present day commercial and business
situations, there is a need to send a timely call-to-action to one
or more persons seeking a voice or data response that will contain
information identifying the person and/or the subject matter of the
response.
[0004] As an example, such a call-to-action is needed in remote
access auctions conducted using information transmission devices,
such as networks, personal computers and wireless communications
devices, which enable bidders to obtain information about items
offered for sale and to enter bids for those items from a location
remote from the items themselves. These auctions are typically
conducted over an extended period of time, such as several days, or
even longer. In the course of managing the auction, the auction
operator will allocate to each item to be sold a particular
identifying code, and each person wishing to bid for an item will
be registered with the auction operator and allotted an individual
identifying code. Because the auctions extend over a long period of
time, bidders cannot continuously monitor the bidding to see if
another has exceeded their bid. To encourage bidding, the auction
system will typically notify a bidder that his or her bid has been
exceeded by a subsequent bid, offering the bidder a chance to place
a higher bid.
[0005] Existing call-to-action systems are less than ideal, and
require the person responding to provide too much information for
convenience. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,896 issued to Fisher
et al. on Nov. 10, 1998, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference, describes a remote auction system
wherein a group of customers can actively participate in a remote
auction by placing bids over the Internet. When a customer has been
out-bid, the customer is notified via electronic mail (e-mail) and
may respond by including an increased bid in the reply message.
This method is inconvenient to many users that do not have
immediate access to the Internet, and may result in losing a
desired item to another bidder. Before a response is validated in
remote auctions, an item identifier, a bidder identifier, a bidder
authentication password, and the response bid must all be provided.
This makes the task of replying difficult, particularly when the
person responding does not have immediate access to the identifiers
representing that information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention seeks to provide an improved system
and method for providing a call-to-action. The present invention
also has as an objective to improve and streamline existing
procedures and to provide a system and method that can alert the
person and avoid the need for the person to recall accurately
various identification codes associated with the call when
off-line.
[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, a
processor-based method for responding to a predetermined event
associated with a host station and remote users comprises:
providing a first database with a plurality of unique address
identifiers that remote users can use to communicate with the host
station; associating one of the address identifiers with a
particular user when the predetermined event has occurred;
selecting a first remote user that is affected by the predetermined
event; associating the selected address identifier with the
selected user; delivering an alert to the particular user that the
predetermined event has occurred, the alert including the
associated address identifier; identifying a response from the
particular user by detecting the selected address identifier;
receiving, at the host station, at least one user instruction for
responding to the predetermined event; and disassociating the
selected address identifier from the particular user so that
address identifier can be used in a subsequent alert delivery.
[0008] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a
processor-based method for responding to a predetermined event
associated with a host station and remote users is provided. The
method comprises: providing a first database with a plurality of
telephone numbers that remote users can call to communicate with
the host station; associating one of the telephone numbers with a
particular remote user when the predetermined event has occurred;
delivering an alert to the selected user that the predetermined
event has occurred, the alert including the selected telephone
number; dialing the selected telephone number by the selected user
to connect the selected user to the host station; identifying the
selected user by detecting the dialed telephone number; receiving,
at the host station, at least one user instruction for responding
to the predetermined event; and disassociating the selected
telephone number from the selected user so that the selected
telephone number can be used in a subsequent alert delivery.
[0009] According to an even further embodiment of the invention, a
processor-based method for processing and communicating auction
information between a host station and remote users is provided.
The method comprises: providing a first database with a plurality
of telephone numbers that remote users can call to communicate with
the host station; providing a second database with auction
information including a first high bid from a first remote user for
an auction item; selecting one of the telephone numbers when the
first high bid is exceeded by a second remote user; associating the
selected telephone number with the one user; delivering an alert to
the one user that the first high bid has been exceeded, the alert
including the selected telephone number; dialing the selected
telephone number by the one user to connect the one user to the
host station; identifying the one user by detecting the dialed
telephone number; receiving, at the host station, at least one
instruction from the one user for responding to the second high
bid; and disassociating the selected telephone number from the one
user so that the selected telephone number can be used in a
subsequent alert delivery.
[0010] In each of the above embodiments, the selected or one user
may be further identified by prompting the user to enter an
identifier, which may be compared to a stored identifier associated
with the user.
[0011] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent upon reading the following detailed description and
appended claims, and upon reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for alerting
and interacting with a user when a predetermined event has
occurred;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a method for alerting
and interacting with a user when a predetermined event has
occurred; and
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a method for prompting
interaction from a user after the user has responded to an
alert.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Referring now to the drawings, and to FIG. 1 in particular,
a processor-based system 10 for alerting and interacting with a
user when a predetermined event has occurred is illustrated. The
system 10 includes a host station 12 connected to a first database
14 and a second database 16. An interface station 18, such as a
voice recognition and processing station, is connectable to the
host station 12. A plurality of user stations 20, 22, 24, 26 and so
on, are in turn connectable to the host station 12 and the
interface station 18. The first database 14 includes a plurality of
captive telephone numbers 28. The second database 16 may include a
data record of information relating to the subject matter of the
call-to-action for each user, such as: user information, including
but not limited to a transaction I.D., a selected telephone number
from the first database 14 and the identity of the user to be
called including the user name and password; item information,
including but not limited to the auction name, item number, item
name, highest bid, highest bidder, minimum bid, quantity of items
left, number of bids received, the auction end date, and the
current transaction status. The preliminary user information is
preferably obtained during a preregistration procedure, which may
take place over an internet connection with the host station. The
initial registration may include personal information items as well
as one or more items or services that the user desires to bid
on.
[0016] In one exemplary embodiment, the host station is a
processor-based system with an Internet domain site for displaying
auction items as well as the current status information of each
item.
[0017] The user station preferably includes a personal
communication device, such as a telephone, that is able to connect
to the host station through standard or wireless communication
systems via one or more telephone numbers or the like. The user
station may alternatively be in the form of an interactive
television device, a display telephone, a pager, or any other
interactive display currently in use or that may be developed in
the future that is connectable to the host station via a telephone
number or the like.
[0018] The interface station may be formed either as an integral
part of the host station or separately therefrom. The host station
may include software, hardware, or a combination of software and
hardware for recognizing voice commands from the user stations and
converting the voice commands into data commands for use at the
host station. The interface station may also communicate voice
prompts or other data to the user stations. Where the information
at the user stations is to be entered through an input device such
as a keypad, the user stations may communicate directly with the
host station.
[0019] With reference now to FIG. 2, an exemplary method 40 for
alerting and interacting with a user when a predetermined event has
occurred is illustrated. The method 40 may be implemented in
hardware, software, or a suitable combination of hardware, software
and hard copy, and may be more than one software system operating
on a general purpose user computing platform. As used herein, "a
software system" shall mean one or more separate lines of code of a
software program, one or more subroutines, one or more agents, one
or more objects, one or more lines of code operating on different
computer platforms, or other suitable software functionality. For
example, a software system may include functionality that is
provided by the operating system of the computing platform, plus
other application-specific functionality.
[0020] The method 40 will be described, for illustrative purposes
only, with respect to remote access auctions. It is to be
understood that the method described herein can be applied to other
call-to-action situations. Initially, the original values of the
second database may be set at the host station 12 where it is
decided that an item will be auctioned. In this embodiment, a
database is provided that contains descriptions of items to be
auctioned, a code identifying each item, and parameters for
conducting the auction for that item. After entering personal
information, potential purchasers or "users" may access information
relating to the item and make a bid of that item from a remote
location, typically using the Internet. During the auction, bids
are received and recorded in the database creating a record that
contains information as to the item, the amount of the bid and the
identity of the bidder. This information is then used in method 40
to complete transactions associated with the auction.
[0021] Once the initial database 16 has been formed for a
particular item, the method 40 is then implemented. In an initial
step 42, an alert or flag is operated to inform the business or
host station 12 that a predefined event has occurred. In the
present example, the predefined event occurs when a subsequent bid
made by one user for a particular auction item is higher than a
previous bid made by another user.
[0022] In step 44, the alert is recognized at the host station 12
as a need to send a call-to-action to the user that has been outbid
to give that user a chance to submit a subsequent higher bid. Other
call-to-action events may include, but are not limited to, special
short-term offers for sale, or electronic mail messages to which a
response is desired. Once an alert is received, the host station 12
creates a transaction I.D. which is stored in the second database
16.
[0023] In step 46, the host station selects an available telephone
number from the first database 14. Once selected, the host station
creates a database entry in the second database 16 for the current
transaction (step 48), wherein the selected telephone number is
associated with the selected user information and the item
information. The selected telephone number is then made unavailable
in the first database so that a unique telephone number is
associated with each transaction I.D.
[0024] Next, in step 50, the host station sends the user a data
message that contains the selected telephone number and
instructions to submit any new bid by calling the selected
telephone number. This message can be sent, for example, by means
of a text message delivered to a digital wireless telephone or
alphanumeric pager. This number could also be automatically dialed
by systems, such as digital wireless telephones, which directly
support receipt of a text message with an embedded callback number.
In step 52, the user's receiving device displays the data message
to the user. Alternatively, a voice message can be sent with the
same information.
[0025] The user responds to the call-to-action, in step 54, by
calling the selected telephone number identified in the data
message. Preferably, the telephone number is associated with an
interface station 18 (FIG. 1) that recognizes voice input from the
user. As shown in step 56, the interface station connects to the
host station and retrieves the temporary data record associated
with the selected telephone number. The interface station 18 then
prompts, preferably by voice, the user for instructions on the
action to be taken, based on the retrieved temporary data record
(step 58). The user then dictates or keys in a password, which is
transmitted by the interface station to the host station, as
indicated in step 60. However the user does not need to communicate
the information stored in the temporary data record in order to
instruct the action. This results in considerable added convenience
for the user and reduces the risk of error that occurs when the
user has to communicate codes identifying, say, the user or the
nature of the transaction. With the pre-assigned telephone number,
the user to may additionally enter an identifier, such as a
password, for the host station to verify that the right user has
called the selected telephone number in order to access the host
station and complete the transaction. In this manner, two levels of
security are offered (the selected telephone number and the
password), while the amount of information to be entered by a user
is substantially reduced over prior art systems.
[0026] When the user has properly logged on or connected to the
host station, the user may respond by offering a new bid that is
higher than the previous bid. The offer may be entered by voice,
DTMF tones from a telephone keypad, or as textual data from a
data-capable device. Voice commands, if issued, are recognized by
the interface station and converted into data commands. Where only
data commands are to be issued by one or more users, the interface
station may be eliminated.
[0027] In step 62, the host station responds to the user's
instructions. When a new high bid is received from a user, the
second database is updated (step 64) with the new auction
information, including the new high bid, the highest bidder, the
new minimum bid, and the number of bids. The selected telephone
number is then removed from the second database 16 (step 66) and
made available in the first database 14 (step 68) for subsequent
use. When a new high bid is received, a flag is generated (step 42)
as previously described, to thereby alert one or more previous
users that a new high bid has been received. This process is
repeated until the expiration of the auction date or other
predetermined termination event. The quantity of telephone numbers
in the first database may be more or less than the number of users,
and is preferably less than the number of users, since the
telephone number is recycled each time a new high bid has been
received at the host station.
[0028] With reference now to FIG. 3, an exemplary method 70 for
interacting with a user is illustrated. Once a user has responded
to the call-to-action request from the host station by dialing the
selected telephone number, the user is prompted to enter his or her
password at step 72. The prompts may be audio, visual, or both. As
shown, the prompts may be customized for each user by inserting
data fields, such as the user and auction names, at appropriate
locations. The data fields include information found in the second
database 16. The user enters the password, preferably audibly (step
74), which is then recognized by voice recognition software at the
interface station and then verified (step 76). At step 78, the user
is informed that the password has been accepted. At step 80, the
user is given information about the item, including the item name
and the current high bid, which are taken from the second database
16. The user is then prompted to issue a voice command such as
"bid" or "details." The voice recognition software associated with
the interface station interprets the command and accesses the
appropriate response. For example, when the user issues the command
"details" at block 84, the response at block 86 is accessed to
inform the user of the particular item details, such as the auction
end date, quantity of items available, the number of total bids to
date, the current high bidder, and so on. The details for each item
are kept and updated in the second database 16 each time the host
station is accessed. After informing the user of the item details,
the user is again prompted to bid or request further details at
block 80. Although not shown, the user may also be prompted to
cancel the current transaction through a voice command or by simply
terminating the connection between the user and the interface
station.
[0029] When the user issues the command "bid" at block 82, the
response at block 88 is accessed to inform the user of the minimum
acceptable bid for the item. The minimum acceptable bid is also
located in the second database and is updated each time a new high
bid is given. The current minimum bid may continue to be revised
until a new high bid is obtained.
[0030] At block 90, the user enters a new high bid, either by voice
or data. The new high bid is temporarily saved while being verified
to determine if the new high bid meets the minimum bid requirement.
If the new high bid is equal to or greater than the minimum bid,
the user is prompted at block 92 to verify that the bid for the
particular item has been correctly recorded by saying "approve",
"edit" or "cancel". If the user approves the bid at block 94, the
user is informed at block 96 that the bid is being submitted. The
connection is then terminated between the user and the interface
station. If the user issues the command "edit" at block 98, the
user is again informed of the item information at block 88 and
prompted to submit a new bid at block 90. If the user issues the
command "cancel" at block 100, the user is again informed of the
current high bid and prompted to enter a command at block 80, as
previously discussed. Once the bid has been submitted and accepted
by the host station, the database 16 is updated to include the new
high bid, the new high bidder, the new minimum bid, the number of
items left, and the new number of bids.
[0031] From the foregoing, the present invention improves and
streamlines existing call-to-action procedures by providing a
system and method for alerting one or more users when a
predetermined event has occurred and for permitting quick
connection to the pertinent information where online access to the
host station or business is normally not feasible. With only a
single identifier to be remembered, the user can actively and
securely participate in the call-to-action without the
disadvantages of recalling various identifiers and other
information codes associated with the prior art, especially when
off-line.
[0032] Although a remote auction has been particularly described in
connection with an exemplary example of the present invention, it
is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. The
present invention is generally applicable in numerous situations in
which a remote response to a call-to-action is desirable. By way of
example, alerts for specific calls-to-action may be received from
electronic mail messages, automatic calendar reminders, real-time
purchase of information services, special advertising offers,
banking and credit card companies, process control systems,
electronic commerce, security trading entities, and other entities
where quick access to information and quick transactions are
desirable. Moreover, although the use of telephone numbers as
unique identifies have been given by way of example, it is to be
understood that other unique address identifies can be used, such
as pager identifier numbers, website addresses, email addresses,
security codes, embedded data, and so on. Thus, the described
embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as
illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,
therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their
scope.
* * * * *